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BOCA RATON – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today
welcomed the Hilton Suites Boca Raton to the Florida Green Lodging Program. The
property is the 232nd in the state to be designated and the 2nd in Boca Raton.
The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical
assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving “green” practices
that reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
“We congratulate the Hilton Suites Boca Raton for taking the necessary steps
to improve its impact on the environment,” said DEP Southeast District Director
Jack Long. “The property’s six-acre lakeside complex will now contribute to our
statewide initiative to conserve Florida’s natural resources with its full
recycling program and use of green cleaning products.”
To become a designated member of the Florida Green Lodging Program, hotels
must implement a variety of green practices. These practices include, but are
not limited to, water conservation measures through low flow plumbing fixtures,
a linen reuse program, energy efficiency achieved by installing ENERGY STAR®
appliances and programmable thermostats. The waste reduction criteria are met by
providing the opportunity to recycle, purchasing items in bulk, purchasing
recycled materials and by recycling ink and toner cartridges. All designated
properties must also use green cleaners and high efficiency air filters.
“The Hilton Suites Boca Raton is honored to receive the One Palm designation
in the Florida Green Lodging Program,” said John Bailey, General Manager and
Chair of the hotel’s Green Team. “Over the next year our team will focus on new
energy conservation programs in the hotel and educating our 70 employees and
their families through this program by helping them to think green at home and
in their neighborhoods.”
Launched in March 2004, the Florida Green Lodging Program establishes
environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and
prevent pollution. In 2007, Governor Crist signed three executive orders
initiating state energy-use policies, including one that requires state agencies
and departments to hold meetings and conferences only at hotels with the Florida
Green Lodging Program designation as of January 1, 2008, whenever possible. With
the addition of the Hilton Suites Boca Raton, the program has 273 designated
properties and nearly 400 applicants. For more information about the Florida
Green Lodging Program, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging.
DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives is comprised of three voluntary,
non-regulatory programs that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting
the environment. The Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and
the Florida Pollution Prevention Program offer a variety of services including
on-site assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops, all at no cost to
citizens or organizations. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is
to meet the needs of the present population without compromising resources for
future generations. To learn more about DEP’s Sustainable Initiatives, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/green/.
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